It's been a long time since the spirit and momentum heading into the year has been as high as it seems to be this year. The results of Wabash's Campaign for Leadership and Strategic Plan are clearly evident, and both have transformed Wabash for the benefit of the students who enroll here.
When classes begin a week from Thursday, biology students will attend lectures and conduct laboratory experiments in a brand new building. Phase one of the science center, which next year will house the chemistry department too, is complete. Not only is the building state-of-the-art in every way, it also fully embraces the close, personal relationships faculty form with students. Side-by-side research labs will provide even closer collaboration than has ever before been available to students and teachers.
The stunning Trippet Hall building, which looks directly south to the Chapel from across Wabash Avenue, will open its doors to the public in the next few weeks. We expect all of our campus visitors to make this new building a first stop when they arrive on campus. And since both the admissions and financial aid offices are housed there, all prospective students will get a new and improved first impression of Wabash when they come here.
Trippet also is home to the Center of Inquiry in the Liberal Arts, which last week hosted a literal who's who in higher education assessment practices. The partnerships being formed and inquiries already underway will shed new insight on the best practices in the liberal arts, while shining a light on Wabash as a leader in the liberal arts.
We're also trying some new ideas in the fine arts this year, which we hope will encourage the entire community to join us in what we're calling a Celebration of the Fine Arts at Wabash.
This year admission to the highly acclaimed Visiting Artists Series and Wabash College Theater productions will be free. While you'll still need a ticket and should reserve them through the box office, this presents a wonderful opportunity for you to bring the entire family to first-rate musical, theatrical, visual art, and literary events at Wabash.
I'll write more about our Celebration of the Fine Arts at Wabash in future columns, but for now consult the web site for detailed information on who's performing and when.
Later in the fall, we'll be equally excited to dedicate the new Malcolm X Institute, which has literally grown from its foundation in the last two months. Situated right behind Lilly Library off Crawford Street, the new MXI will be larger and better equipped for students and community friends. Once it's up and running, the MXI will serve as an African American cultural center and will be home to the successful KQ&K Mentoring Program.
The soccer and cross country teams will be as competitive as they have been in recent history this season. Athletes for both teams return to campus today in preparation for their season openers on August 31.
I hope you'll mark your calendars for Saturday, September 14, when we'll once again welcome the entire community to campus for a pre-game picnic, soccer match, and the opening game of the 2002 football season. The Little Giant football team, ranked 17th nationally, will host Kalamazoo College in what should be a very good contest.
Admission to the Community Day game is free, but we really hope you'll bring a non-perishable food item as a donation to the football team's Hunger Runs for the FISH Foundation and Food Pantry.
As you can probably tell, I'm very excited about the coming year and what it will bring to Wabash and the community. I hope you'll plan to join us for as many activities as you can in what promises to be a ground-breaking year.
For more information see: